Paul was a man filled with self-righteous, persecuting, zeal - just like so many religious people of all faiths today. He thought he was doing God a favour by persecuting Christians. When he was thrown to the ground on the way to Damascus, he learned that he had been mistaken about many things. Paul never ceased being a Jew, but his eyes were opened about Jesus. Not only was Jesus not cursed by being crucified, he was vindicated and exalted by God. Paul spent the rest of his life being a herald of this new King and His gospel. Cardinal Newman said that to live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often. Paul changed often and so should we.

Jesus continued his 'shock language' by declaring that those wishing eternal life must eat his body and drink his blood. These words sound strange today - they sounded both strange and scandalous at the time. Jesus must be as important as food and drink to us. If we go long without food and water, we waste away and die. If we deprive ourselves of the nourishment of Jesus, we do the same spiritually. Eating his body and drinking his blood is more than just the Eucharist - it is a way of life.